NEW ULM — The Park and Recreation Commission received an update on Reinvest in New Ulm (RENU) projects.

Director Tom Schmitz said the Johnson Park improvements were 95% complete and everything should be finished by the end of the month. An open house will be held for the ballpark after the need for social distancing has been lifted.

The Hermann Heights retaining wall, parking lot and Monument Street relocation have begun. The projects were awarded to M.R. Paving and Excavating. The park is closed through the duration of the project. It is expected to be complete in the fall.

The Recreation Center improvements are out for public bid. The opening of the bids is scheduled for Thursday, June 4. After the bid opening the RENU Oversight Committee will review the bids and the city council will likely award bid packages during the second meeting in June.

Schmitz said items are being moved from the southern part of the Recreation Center as construction is expected on the aquatic center in July.

The Recreation Center pool has already been drained in preparation for the construction. Due to the coronavirus the pool was not expected to open until later in the summer. The city council authorized draining the pool early.

The pool will not reopen until the completion of the new aquatic center in August 2021.

German Park Amphitheater Donations

The commissioners accepted $106,450 in donations for the German Park Amphitheater. This included a $100,000 matching pledge honoring Janet and Terry Dempsey from an anonymous donor. The remaining $6,450 were cash donations.

Schmitz said construction continues at the German Park Amphitheater, but fundraising is also ongoing for the theater’s shade structure. The shade structure has not been funded or approved by the council. An additional $250,000 is needed for this add-on.

Coronavirus Update

Schmitz gave an update on Park and Recreation facilities related to the coronavirus pandemic.

“We are working on a reopening plan,” Schmitz said. “We anticipate some reopening of the system over the next weeks and months.”

The Recreation Center is closed, but could reopen to limited use, such as fitness activities. Strength and cardio machines have been moved into the fieldhouse. The walking track may also be allowed.

Schmitz said overtime racquetball, volleyball, tennis and basketball will eventually be permitted again.

The Civic Center is closed, but the northern arena still contains ice in the event the facility can open later in the year.

The Community Center has been closed to all programming, but is still being used to prepare food for the Meals on Wheels program. Schmitz anticipated the Community Center would reopen later in the year once it is safe.

Most city parks remain open, but the amenities such as playgrounds and courts are closed. Nets have not been put up at tennis or volleyball courts.

Schmitz said the wading pools and new splashpad might remain closed this summer depending on how the virus plays out.

The final seven figurines for the New Ulm Glockenspiel are expected to be delivered soon. The seven figures represent the last of 19 figurines that have been replaced over the last five years.

Bob Skillings asked for the city’s position on the ballparks.

Schmitz said staff continues to perform maintenance and are ready to go if it is possible to reopen. Some associations have decided to cancel summer sports, but other organizations have not made a decision to cancel at this time. If the Amateur Baseball Association chooses to go ahead with the season, it will be up to the city council on whether to allow rental of Johnson and Mueller Parks.